The primary school in Buhumba village on Idjwi Island in the Democratic Republic of Congo does not have adequate facilities. It has dirt floors, and the children use substandard, uneven tables as desks. This project will provide twenty-five new quality desks for sixth graders as they prepare for secondary school.
Idjwi Island has seen a dramatic increase in its population in recent years, much of which is the result of refugees fleeing violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda to its east. A substantial number of these new residents are children, including many orphans. The island lacks basic infrastructure such as running water and electricity. The Buhumba village school has inadequate facilities for the 400 children who attend.
This project will provide 25 new desks from a supplier in Goma, which will be delivered by boat to the school on Idjwi Island. Each desk will be used by two sixth grade students as they prepare for secondary school on the island.
Approximately 50 sixth graders attend the Buhumba village school and study subjects such as grammar, history, geography, mathematics, gymnastics, drawing, and English. Sixth grade is a critical year as the students prepare for the selective secondary school. Providing adequate facilities for their learning will enhance their chances to attend the secondary school and to obtain advanced studies and training.
